# The Star Trek Encyclopedia
**Wikidata**: [Q114707485](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114707485)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-star-trek-encyclopedia-q114707485

## Summary
The Star Trek Encyclopedia is a CD-ROM reference work that comprehensively documents the Star Trek universe, including characters, technologies, and episodes. Authored by Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda, it was released for Classic Mac OS and Windows 95, with Version 3.0 being a notable edition preserved on the Internet Archive. It served as an authoritative offline resource for fans and researchers.

## Key Facts
- **Authors**: Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda, longtime contributors to Star Trek production and design.
- **Format**: CD-ROM encyclopedia, released as *Star Trek Encyclopedia (Version 3.0)*.
- **Platforms**: Compatible with Classic Mac OS and Windows 95 operating systems.
- **Internet Archive Availability**: Freely accessible via the Internet Archive (ID: `ency99`).
- **Publication Basis**: Edition of the print *Star Trek Encyclopedia*, expanded for digital format.

## FAQs
### Q: Who wrote The Star Trek Encyclopedia?
A: The encyclopedia was authored by Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda, who were technical consultants and designers for the Star Trek franchise.

### Q: What platforms could The Star Trek Encyclopedia run on?
A: It was designed for Classic Mac OS and Windows 95, reflecting common operating systems of the late 1990s.

### Q: Where can I access The Star Trek Encyclopedia today?
A: The Version 3.0 release is preserved and downloadable for free on the Internet Archive (archive.org).

## Why It Matters
The Star Trek Encyclopedia was a groundbreaking digital resource that compiled decades of Star Trek lore into an interactive format. Before widespread internet access, it provided fans and researchers with detailed, offline access to the franchise’s intricate universe, covering technical specifications, character histories, and behind-the-scenes insights. Authored by insiders with direct involvement in the franchise, it ensured accuracy and depth, setting a standard for media tie-in reference works. Its preservation on the Internet Archive ensures its availability as both a historical artifact of 1990s digital publishing and a functional tool for exploring Star Trek’s legacy.

## Notable For
- **Authoritative Creation**: Developed by Michael and Denise Okuda, who worked on Star Trek: The Next Generation and other series.
- **Cross-Platform Release**: Supported both Classic Mac OS and Windows 95, uncommon for niche software of the era.
- **Digital Preservation**: Archived as *ency99* on the Internet Archive, ensuring long-term accessibility.
- **Comprehensive Coverage**: Included thousands of entries on ships, species, and terminology from all Star Trek series and films up to its release.

## Body
### Development and Publication
- Created by **Michael Okuda** (graphic designer for *Star Trek: The Next Generation*) and **Denise Okuda** (technical consultant), leveraging their firsthand knowledge of the franchise.
- Released as a CD-ROM title, capitalizing on the 1990s trend of interactive educational software.

### Content and Features
- **Entries**: Detailed articles on Starfleet vessels, alien species, and in-universe technologies, with hyperlinks for cross-referencing.
- **Multimedia Integration**: Incorporated images, video clips, and soundbites from Star Trek episodes and films.

### Technical Specifications
- **Operating Systems**: Compatible with **Classic Mac OS** (Q495432) and **Windows 95** (Q483132).
- **System Requirements**: Typical of late-1990s software, requiring minimal RAM and storage by modern standards.

### Legacy
- **Internet Archive Preservation**: The Version 3.0 release (ID: `ency99`) was uploaded in 2022, ensuring free public access.
- **Cultural Impact**: Served as a precursor to online wikis like Memory Alpha, demonstrating early efforts to digitize and share franchise knowledge.

## References

1. [Star Trek Omnipedia | Memory Alpha | Fandom](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Trek_Omnipedia?oldid=2693539#mw-content-text)
2. [Star Trek Encyclopedia (Version 3.0) : Simon & Schuster Interactive : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/ency99)